Exercise post CS

[roundtable]

I'm going to be 6 weeks post CS tomorrow and although I don't feel up to 'proper' exercise yet, I have 2 and a half stone to lose from pregnancy (and the build up which involved a bit of comfort eating!)

Now I think I'll be alright with the weight loss, I've had to do it before in my early 20's and maintained it up to being 30 (fingers crossed I've not got a drastically altered metabolism) but I need the exercise to help it along and tone up.

I have had virtually no exercise for months due to severe SPD which resulted with me being on crutches and for the last couple of months I could barely walk anywhere at all. So I have had most of this year with barely any movement at all. I need to get back into shape, but safely.

I have been doing lots of walking which I am finding supporisingly hard work, my muscles must have really suffered, but I need to build that up and wondered if anyone had any experience/suggestions after having to do the same thing? My main issues are in the tummy/back area.

Can't afford the gym so they would have to be exercises that don't cost money and in the home as it has to fit around the baby. I have got a strider and fingers crossed I can borrow a version of a power plate. Any ideas?

TIA :)

Hi, i'm 5 weeks post section and have been told to start with gentle swimming and 'core' exercises only, i found this today.

Sit-ups are a big no-no, apparantly they will make my stomach look even worse. I am thinking about getting a pilates DVD that i can do at home.

I have never done any kind of proper exercise pre-babies though apart from swimming so am starting from scratch!

Aargh rarebreed I hate swimming! I am absolutely rubbish at it and a little bit frightened by it too. Pathetic, I know!

Those core exercises look good, I had the same thoughts about a Pilates DVD. Do you know of any good ones rather than celebrity work out one?

Could you get a baby seat for the back of your bike?

I can't ride a bike. My balance is terrible.

I can stay on for a bit then it all goes wrong and I end up in a ditch or once sprawled in a lane traffic as I'd tried to navigate around a roundabout.

My cycling proficiency instructor told me in Year 6 he had never failed anyone before but I was NOT to ride on the road as everytime I put my arm up to indicate, I fell off.

However, I am going to get a bike and learn so I can go on bike rides with my DH but he can have the baby seat!

sorry to hear that, loved the anecdote.
Halfords have these kind of trailers that you can attach to the back of your bike (obv. not for road cycling) for babies to go in and it would then kind of make your bike like a trike ! really good exercise even in a flat park and your baby would find it fun too maybe they are a bit small for it at the moment but something to think about for Xmas gift or for spring time

Yes, I never have made a new years resolution before but perhaps it should be to try to ride a bike again!

I had 2 post-natal exercise DVDs - Erin O'Brien and the Davina one - which I used from about 8 weeks post-CS. They are very gentle - the EOB one has different levels to help re-engage your muscles very gently and gradually. The EOB one also has a bonus section of super-gentle stretches to do from even earlier on. I didn't do any exercise (apart from walking) until I'd had my GP check at 8 weeks, but then gradually built up from there.

(I am now 13 mths post-2nd-EMCS and had lost all the weight - also about 2.5 stone - by 9 months-ish.)

Good luck

Thanks Jacksterbear, that's just what I needed to hear and well done you!

I shall look for those dvd's :)

Thanks.

Here and Here. Not sure if you can get the Davina post-natal one separately from the pre-natal or whether you have to buy both.

To anyone that knows about this stuff - do I really need to just to gentle exercises post c section if I feel totally fine? Am 8 weeks post c section, have felt totally back to normal for at least 4 weeks, and my wound is now just a flat red line and not sore at all. I have the davina post natal DVD but it's so slow and boring - going for a walk with the pram is more energetic than this!

I'm jealous hazelnutlatte :) mine's being a right pain. Ithink I did too much too early as it keeps rebleeding and it's still very tender. Annoying. I'm itching to get back to myself, I think that's what the problem is!

I would be cautious, just because of the internal stitching as well. I'm sure the recommendation for 'proper' exercise is 2 to 3 months so I reckon you would be fine to start building it up gradually now.

I'm a fan of marching around with the pram, I go all over the place. Not looking foward to any snow and ice with pram though!

I've been naughty and ignored all advice and been for a couple of runs - not pushing myself though. It's been very nearly 2 months so will hopefully be ok!
I think everyone recovers at different speeds - it's just down to luck I suppose.

Hazelnut, I'd say you are probably fine doing cardio if you feel up to it and aren't in any pain/discomfort, but I would take it a bit easier with any strength/toning etc especially on the abs .

roundtable do u mean the actual wound keeps rebleeding? That sounds a bit alarming - have you seen a doctor?

p.s. Disclaimer: no knowledge in any kind of professional capacity, just my own experience plus the research I did for my own purposes!

Yes Jack just a bit on and off. Been looked at a couple of times and they said it was fine and to take it easy. Ha!

It's still quite uncomfortable but is better, just have to be careful what clothes I wear.